Day 335 | Saturday, November 28 | 2009

Guitars...

Went for a six mile run this morning at 7:55 pace. Other than it being bitterly cold, it was a nice time. I was wearing shorts and several t-shirts and a cotton sweat shirt but probably could have benefited from the more 'advanced' technologies such as the dri-fit pants / shirts they sell at running stores. I actually bought some pants not too long ago (and a shirt too) but I didn't think to bring them with me.

Today has been a really good day. Went running, spent some time with family / went out to lunch, spent most of the day at the Pimentel & Sons guitar shop, and then played a concert with Hector Pimentel (one of the guitar instructors at the shop) and my Uncle Jim in downtown Albuquerque. Being in the shop is a revitalizing experience -- feels like I am walking around in a nursery, potential for life, mist, and songs. The Pimentels ought to be written about more. So says their website:

Pimentel handcrafted custom guitars that are world renowned. The intimacy of these stringed instruments reflects the careful transfer of craft knowledge across spans of time not experienced by one life. Guitar making is a mellow craft of excellence at Pimentel & Sons, and your visit would become a fond memory.

Day 334 | Friday, November 27 | 2009

Sapphire...

Here is the one-eyed dog that my grandma has had for about 10 years (or more?). Her name is Sapphire because of her gorgeous blue eyes. Are sapphires really blue?

Update: I verified that sapphires are really blue.

Anyway, Sapphire is such a sweet dog. She is really calm and mellow and very people-friendly. Unfortunately, she recently has lost vision in her left eye.

Today was a good day -- watched a movie with Grandma, spent time with family, went to the Pimentel guitar shop with Jim, met Robert Pimentel for a drink, and then dinner with uncle Jim at a place called The Sweet Tomato. It was pretty good.

Day 331 | Tuesday, November 24 | 2009

Mom...

We are back in Albuquerque and I feel so tired. I can't help but fall asleep as I type this -- it was hard to fall asleep on the airplane because I was in a seat that didn't recline for most of the trip. We flew from San Antonio to Salt Lake City and then Salt Lake City to Albuquerque. It is good to be back here, though. I love this city even though after time I would probably find some things to complain about.

Anyways, it's good to be here and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

The Land of Enchantment part 1 -- Sept. '08

*****Uncle Jim*****

Every Friday night in Albuquerque Hector Pimentel plays at the Hilton.  Lately he has offered time for my uncle Jim to play as well.  I think this is a great outlet for my uncle and I am so glad he is doing it.  He used to be more nervous when it came to playing out in front of people but watching him perform made me so proud.  

*****Harry and Hector*****
Harry is playing the Requinta -- a smaller guitar tuned with the sixth string at an A so it has a higher-tuned tone as a whole.  Hector (pictured right) is a very impressive guitar player as well as showman.  There were, however, very cheesy moments in his set when he and Harry performed a soupy instrumental cover of "Dust in the Wind."  After the night was over, Jim, Hector, Carol (Hector's wife) and I all went to the Frontier restaurant down by UNM.  It is a 24 hour diner located in Albuquerque.  

*****Spray Room*****
Here is the first of several photos I took while on a break working for my uncle.  This is a paint gun I used while painting and priming cabinets.

*****Flammable*****

*****Workshop*****

*****Bookshelf***** 
This is a giant bookshelf we were building for a rich Astrophysicist.  It is hard to believe, but this bookshelf will fit in the client's home.

*****Drill*****

*****Bicycle*****
Here was a bicycle in DJ John's shop (where my uncle worked).  It is a vintage bicycle from the 50s (or so it appears).  I figured I would take some snapshots during lunch break.

*****More Bicycle*****

*****Close Encounters*****

On our way back from Odessa over Labor Day weekend, my uncle Jim and I stopped in Roswell.  I toured the International UFO museum but it was really disappointing.  It guided us through a timeline of the Roswell sightings but the visual models were really unexciting.